March set to raise oil-spill awareness

DINAH VOYLES PULVER, Environment Writer

Wednesday

May 26, 2010 at 12:01 AMAug 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM

DAYTONA BEACH -- Helena Cunningham organized a march for oil spill awareness on the beach this coming Sunday because she was surprised at how little some of her friends and co-workers seemed to know about the growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

But she has been pleasantly surprised at how quickly she managed to rally support and attention.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a Facebook page she created to publicize the march showed more than 100 confirmed participants with another 100 who said they may be attending.

"I'm completely astounded by the whole thing," said Cunningham, a Holly Hill native and Stetson University student.

The local march is planned for 10 a.m. Sunday, beginning in front of Frank Rendon Park, 2705 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores. Cunningham said they plan to walk north along the beach as far as the Daytona Beach Pier.

The idea for the march was born when she and another student were talking on Facebook about how upset they were over the spill.

An executive chef at a Daytona Beach sushi restaurant, Cunningham said she couldn't believe her co-workers seemed to have no idea "how horrible it is."

"Let's do something about it," she said to her Facebook friend, and the idea for the march was born. In an article she wrote to publicize the march, Cunningham wrote: "Not willing to give in to an attitude of hopelessness, or worse complacency, I am taking action."

"My greater message is we need to completely change our entire infrastructure away from dirty fuels," she said. "There's no reason not to switch over to solar, wind and clean industry."

Several local environmental groups plan to participate, including the Volusia-Flagler Sierra Club.

Member Alexa Ross said she will be there Sunday.

"The ocean is our greatest resource here in this county," she said.

Cunningham said she originally thought about protesting at a local gas station but decided to conduct a march on the beach because it's the one local area that could be impacted if the oil slick gets into the Gulf Stream. She wanted to do it on Memorial Day weekend, when the beach will be the most crowded and the march would have the greatest impact.

In case of heavy rain, Cunningham said the march will take place on Monday. For more information, contact her at ninasummer1@yahoo.com.

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